Formation of microcracks in an indented Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al intermetallic compound

Microcracks in the Ti₃Al alloy indented at room temperature have been analyzed by electron microscopy. Analysis of the microstructure has revealed that microcracks propagate in the {0\(\overline 1 \)11} pyramidal planes and in the slip bands of the 2c + a superdislocations in the {20\(\overline 2 \)1} and {11\(\overline 2 \)1} pyramidal planes. It is found that the formation of a slip band in the basal plane at the microcrack tip leads to a change in the character of microcrack propagation from straight-line to steplike.     

The envelope travelling wave solutions to the Gerdjikov–Ivanov model

Valence universal multireference coupled cluster (VUMRCC) method via eigenvalue independent partitioning has been applied to estimate the effect of three-body transformed Hamiltonian (\(\widetilde{{H}}_3\)) on ionisation potentials through full connected triple excitations \(S_{3}^{(1,0) }\). \(\widetilde{H}_3 \) is constructed using CCSDT1-A model of Bartlett et al for the ground-state calculation. Contribution of transformed Hamiltonian through full connected triples \(\overline{\widetilde{H}_3 S_3^{\left( {1,0} \right) }}\) involves huge amount of computational operations that is time-consuming. Investigation on \(\hbox {Cl}_{2}\) and \(\hbox {F}_{2}\) molecules using cc-pVDZ and cc-pVTZ basis sets shows that the above effect varies from 0.001 eV to around 0.5 eV, suggesting that inclusion of \(\overline{\widetilde{H} _3 S_3^{\left( {1,0} \right) } }\) is essential for highly accurate calculations.     

On quantum analogue of dynamical stabilisation of inverted harmonic oscillator by time periodical uniform field

Quantum analogue of stabilised forced oscillations around an unstable equilibrium position is explored by solving the non-stationary Schrödinger equation (NSE) of the inverted harmonic oscillator (IHO) driven periodically by spatial uniform field of frequency \(\Omega \), amplitude \(F_{0}\) and phase \(\phi \), i.e. the system with the Hamiltonian of \(\hat{{H}}=(\hat{{p}}^{2}/2m)-(m\omega ^{2}x^{2}/2)-F_0 x\sin \) \(\left( {\Omega t+\phi } \right) \). The NSE has been solved both analytically and numerically by Maple 15 in dimensionless variables \(\xi = x\sqrt{m\omega /\hbar }\hbox {, }f_0 =F_0 /\omega \sqrt{\hbar m\omega }\) and \(\tau =\omega t\). The initial condition (IC) has been specified by the wave function (w.f.) of a generalised Gaussian type which suits well the corresponding quantum IC operator. The solution obtained demonstrates the non-monotonous behaviour of the coordinate spreading \(\sigma \left( \tau \right) \hbox { =}\sqrt{\big ( {\overline{\Delta \xi ^{2}\big ( \tau \big )} } \big )}\) which decreases first from quite macroscopic values of \(\sigma _{0} =2^{12,\ldots ,25}\) to minimal one of \(\sim \!(1/\sqrt{2})\) at times \(\tau <\tau _0 =0.125\ln \!\left( {16\sigma _0^4 +1} \right) \) and then grows back unlimitedly. For certain phases \(\phi \) depending on the \(\Omega /\omega \) ratio and \(n=\log _2\!\sigma _0 \), the mass centre of the packet \(\xi _{\mathrm {av}}( \tau )= \overline{\hat{{x}}(\tau )} \cdot \sqrt{m\omega /\hbar }\) delays approximately two natural ‘periods’ \(\sim \!(4\pi /\omega )\) in the area of the stationary point and then escapes to ‘\(+\)’ or ‘?’ infinity in a bifurcating way.  For ‘resonant’ \(\Omega =\omega \), the bifurcation phases \(\phi \) fit well with the regression formula of Fermi–Dirac type of argument n with their asymptotic \(\phi ( {\Omega ,n\rightarrow \infty } )\) obeying the classical formula \(\phi _{\mathrm {cl}} ( \Omega )=-\hbox {arctg} \, \Omega \) for initial energy \(E = 0\) in the wide range of \(\Omega =2^{-4},...,2^{7}\).     

Regularity of the Speed of Biased Random Walk in a One-Dimensional Percolation Model

We consider biased random walks on the infinite cluster of a conditional bond percolation model on the infinite ladder graph. Axelson-Fisk and Häggström established for this model a phase transition for the asymptotic linear speed \(\overline{\hbox {v}}\) of the walk. Namely, there exists some critical value \(\lambda _{\hbox {c}}>0\) such that \(\overline{\hbox {v}}>0\) if \(\lambda \in (0,\lambda _{\hbox {c}})\) and \(\overline{\hbox {v}}=0\) if \(\lambda \ge \lambda _{\hbox {c}}\). We show that the speed \(\overline{\hbox {v}}\) is continuous in \(\lambda \) on \((0,\infty )\) and differentiable on \((0,\lambda _{\hbox {c}}/2)\). Moreover, we characterize the derivative as a covariance. For the proof of the differentiability of \(\overline{\hbox {v}}\) on \((0,\lambda _{\hbox {c}}/2)\), we require and prove a central limit theorem for the biased random walk. Additionally, we prove that the central limit theorem fails to hold for \(\lambda \ge \lambda _{\hbox {c}}/2\).     

The Largest Fragment of a Homogeneous Fragmentation Process

We show that in homogeneous fragmentation processes the largest fragment at time t has size

$$\begin{aligned} e^{-t \Phi '(\overline{p})}t^{-\frac{3}{2} (\log \Phi )'(\overline{p})+o(1)}, \end{aligned}$$

where \(\Phi \) is the Lévy exponent of the fragmentation process, and \(\overline{p}\) is the unique solution of the equation \((\log \Phi )'(\bar{p})=\frac{1}{1+\bar{p}}\). We argue that this result is in line with predictions arising from the classification of homogeneous fragmentation processes as logarithmically correlated random fields.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">U</Emphasis>(2) and minimal flavour violation in supersymmetry

Rather than sticking to the full U(3)³ approximate symmetry normally invoked in Minimal Flavour Violation, we analyze the consequences on the current flavour data of a suitably broken U(2)³ symmetry acting on the first two generations of quarks and squarks. A definite correlation emerges between the ΔF=2 amplitudes \(\mathcal{M}( K^{0} \to \bar{K}^{0} )\), \(\mathcal{M}( B_{d} \to \bar{B}_{d} )\) and \(\mathcal{M}( B_{s} \to \bar{B}_{s} )\), which can resolve the current tension between \(\mathcal{M}( K^{0} \to \bar{K}^{0} )\) and \(\mathcal{M}( B_{d} \to \bar{B}_{d} )\), while predicting \(\mathcal{M}( B_{s}\to \bar{B}_{s} )\). In particular, the CP violating asymmetry in B _s →ψφ is predicted to be positive S _ψφ =0.12±0.05 and above its Standard Model value (S _ψφ =0.041±0.002). The preferred region for the gluino and the left-handed sbottom masses is below about 1÷1.5 TeV. An existence proof of a dynamical model realizing the U(2)³ picture is outlined.     

Single-photon laser spectroscopy of cold antiprotonic helium

Some laser spectroscopy experiments carried out by the Atomic Spectroscopy and Collisions Using Slow Antiprotons (ASACUSA) collaboration to measure the single-photon transition frequencies of antiprotonic helium (\(\overline {p}\text {He}^{+}\equiv \overline {p}+\text {He}^{2+}+e^{-}\)) atoms are reviewed. The \(\overline {p}\text {He}^{+}\) were cooled to temperature T =?1.5–1.7 K by buffer-gas cooling in a cryogenic gas target, thus reducing the thermal Doppler width in the single-photon resonance lines. The antiproton-to-electron mass ratio was determined as \(M_{\overline {p}}/m_{e}=?1836.1526734(15)\) by comparisons with the results of three-body quantum electrodynamics calculations. This agreed with the known proton-to-electron mass ratio.     

Electron-microscopic study of microcracks in single-crystal Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al

Microcracks in a Ti₃ Al alloy subjected to indentation at room temperature were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The microcracks are shown to grow on \(\{ 0\overline 1 11\} \) pyramidal planes and in the slip bands of 2c + a superdislocations on \(\{ 20\overline 2 1\} \) and \(\{ 11\overline 2 1\} \) pyramidal planes. It is found that, due to the formation of a slip band in the basal plane at a microcrack tip, the propagating microcrack becomes steplike rather than straight. It is shown that a microcrack can nucleate at the line of intersection of \(\{ 11\overline 2 1\} \) pyramidal and \(\{ 0\overline 1 10\} \) prismatic planes.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> meson rare decays in the light-cone quark model

We investigate the rare decays \(B_{c} \rightarrow D_{s}(1968)\ell \overline{\ell}\) and \(B_{c}\rightarrow D_{s}^{*}(2317) \ell \overline{\ell}\) in the framework of the light-cone quark model (LCQM). The transition form factors are calculated in the space-like region and then analytically continued to the time-like region via exponential parametrization. The branching ratios and longitudinal lepton polarization asymmetries (LPAs) for the two decays are given and compared with each other. The results are helpful for investigating the structure of B _c meson and for testing the unitarity of CKM quark mixing matrix. All these results can be tested in the future experiments at the LHC.     

Coupled channels dynamics in the generation of the $$\Omega (2012)$$ resonance

We look into the newly observed \(\Omega (2012)\) state from the molecular perspective in which the resonance is generated from the \(\bar{K} \Xi ^*\), \(\eta \Omega \) and \(\bar{K} \Xi \) channels. We find that this picture provides a natural explanation of the properties of the \(\Omega (2012)\) state. We stress that the molecular nature of the resonance is revealed with a large coupling of the \(\Omega (2012)\) to the \(\bar{K} \Xi ^*\) channel, that can be observed in the \(\Omega (2012) \rightarrow \bar{K} \pi \Xi \) decay which is incorporated automatically in our chiral unitary approach via the use of the spectral function of \(\Xi ^*\) in the evaluation of the \(\bar{K} \Xi ^*\) loop function.     

Isospin analysis of charmless <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis>-meson decays

We discuss the determination of the CKM angle \(\alpha \) using the non-leptonic two-body decays \(B\rightarrow \pi \pi \), \(B\rightarrow \rho \rho \) and \(B\rightarrow \rho \pi \) using the latest data available. We illustrate the methods used in each case and extract the corresponding value of \(\alpha \). Combining all these elements, we obtain the determination \(\alpha _\mathrm{dir}={({86.2}_{-4.0}^{+4.4} \cup {178.4}_{-5.1}^{+3.9})}^{\circ }\). We assess the uncertainties associated to the breakdown of the isospin hypothesis and the choice of the statistical framework in detail. We also determine the hadronic amplitudes (tree and penguin) describing the QCD dynamics involved in these decays, briefly comparing our results with theoretical expectations. For each observable of interest in the \(B\rightarrow \pi \pi \), \(B\rightarrow \rho \rho \) and \(B\rightarrow \rho \pi \) systems, we perform an indirect determination based on the constraints from all the other observables available and we discuss the compatibility between indirect and direct determinations. Finally, we review the impact of future improved measurements on the determination of \(\alpha \).     

The decays of $$\bar{B}^0$$, $$\bar{B}^0_s$$B¯s0 and $$B^-$$B- into $$\eta _c$$ηc plus a scalar or vector meson

We investigate the decays of \(\bar{B}^0_s\), \(\bar{B}^0\) and \(B^-\) into \(\eta _c\) plus a scalar or vector meson in a theoretical framework by taking into account the dominant process for the weak decay of \(\bar{B}\) meson into \(\eta _c\) and a \(q\bar{q}\) pair. After hadronization of this \(q\bar{q}\) component into pairs of pseudoscalar mesons we obtain certain weights for the pseudoscalar meson-pseudoscalar meson components. In addition, the \(\bar{B}^0\) and \(\bar{B}^0_s\) decays into \(\eta _c\) and \(\rho ^0\), \(K^*\) are evaluated and compared to the \(\eta _c\) and \(\phi \) production. The calculation is based on the postulation that the scalar mesons \(f_0(500)\), \(f_0(980)\) and \(a_0(980)\) are dynamically generated states from the pseudoscalar meson-pseudoscalar meson interactions in S-wave. Up to a global normalization factor, the \(\pi \pi \), \(K \bar{K}\) and \(\pi \eta \) invariant mass distributions for the decays of \(\bar{B}^0_s \rightarrow \eta _c \pi ^+ \pi ^-\), \(\bar{B}^0_s \rightarrow \eta _c K^+ K^-\), \(\bar{B}^0 \rightarrow \eta _c \pi ^+ \pi ^-\), \(\bar{B}^0 \rightarrow \eta _c K^+ K^-\), \(\bar{B}^0 \rightarrow \eta _c \pi ^0 \eta \), \(B^- \rightarrow \eta _c K^0 K^-\) and \(B^- \rightarrow \eta _c \pi ^- \eta \) are predicted. Comparison is made with the limited experimental information available and other theoretical calcualtions. Further comparison of these results with coming LHCb measurements will be very valuable to make progress in our understanding of the nature of the low lying scalar mesons, \(f_0(500), f_0(980)\) and \(a_0(980)\).     

Two Phases of the Non-Commutative Quantum Mechanics with the Generalized Uncertainty Relations

We consider the quantum mechanics on the noncommutative plane with the generalized uncertainty relations \({\Delta } x_{1} {\Delta } x_{2} \ge \frac {\theta }{2}, {\Delta } p_{1} {\Delta } p_{2} \ge \frac {\bar {\theta }}{2}, {\Delta } x_{i} {\Delta } p_{i} \ge \frac {\hbar }{2}, {\Delta } x_{1} {\Delta } p_{2} \ge \frac {\eta }{2}\). We show that the model has two essentially different phases which is determined by \(\kappa = 1 + \frac {1}{\hbar ^{2} } (\eta ^{2} - \theta \bar {\theta })\). We construct a operator \(\hat {\pi }_{i}\) commuting with \(\hat {x}_{j} \) and discuss the harmonic oscillator model in two dimensional non-commutative space for three case κ > 0, κ = 0, κ < 0. Finally, we discuss the thermodynamics of a particle whose hamiltonian is related to the harmonic oscillator model in two dimensional non-commutative space.     

Uncertainties of the $$B\rightarrow D$$B→ D transition form factor from the D-meson leading-twist distribution amplitude

The \(B\rightarrow D\) transition form factor (TFF) \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\) is determined mainly by the D-meson leading-twist distribution amplitude (DA) , \(\phi _{2;D}\), if the proper chiral current correlation function is adopted within the light-cone QCD sum rules. It is therefore significant to make a comprehensive study of DA \(\phi _{2;D}\) and its impact on \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\). In this paper, we calculate the moments of \(\phi _{2;D}\) with the QCD sum rules under the framework of the background field theory. New sum rules for the leading-twist DA moments \(\left\langle \xi ^n\right\rangle _D\) up to fourth order and up to dimension-six condensates are presented. At the scale \(\mu = 2 \,\mathrm{GeV}\), the values of the first four moments are: \(\left\langle \xi ^1\right\rangle _D = -0.418^{+0.021}_{-0.022}\), \(\left\langle \xi ^2\right\rangle _D = 0.289^{+0.023}_{-0.022}\), \(\left\langle \xi ^3\right\rangle _D = -0.178 \pm 0.010\) and \(\left\langle \xi ^4\right\rangle _D = 0.142^{+0.013}_{-0.012}\). Basing on the values of \(\left\langle \xi ^n\right\rangle _D(n=1,2,3,4)\), a better model of \(\phi _{2;D}\) is constructed. Applying this model for the TFF \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\) under the light cone sum rules, we obtain \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(0) = 0.673^{+0.038}_{-0.041}\) and \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2_{\mathrm{max}}) = 1.117^{+0.051}_{-0.054}\). The uncertainty of \(f^{B\rightarrow D}_+(q^2)\) from \(\phi _{2;D}\) is estimated and we find its impact should be taken into account, especially in low and central energy region. The branching ratio \(\mathcal {B}(B\rightarrow Dl\bar{\nu }_l)\) is calculated, which is consistent with experimental data.     

Potentials and phase shifts for nucleon–light nuclei systems

The technique proposed to enhance the resolution of the point spread function (PSF) of an optical system underneath defocussing and spherical aberrations. The method of approach is based on the amplitude and phase masking in a ring aperture for modifying the light intensity distribution in the Gaussian focal plane (\(Y_{D} = 0\)) and in the defocussed planes (\(Y_{D}= \pi \) and \(Y_{D}= 2\pi \)). The width of the annulus modifies the distribution of the light intensity in the side lobes of the resultant PSF. In the presence of an asymmetry in the phase of the annulus, the Hanning amplitude apodizer [cos(\(\pi \beta \rho \))] employed in the pupil function can modify the spatial distribution of light in the maximum defocussed plane (\({Y}_{D} = 2\pi \)), results in PSF with improved resolution.     

Stochastic Averaging Principle for Spatial Birth-and-Death Evolutions in the Continuum

We study a spatial birth-and-death process on the phase space of locally finite configurations \({\varGamma }^+ \times {\varGamma }^-\) over \({\mathbb {R}}^d\). Dynamics is described by an non-equilibrium evolution of states obtained from the Fokker-Planck equation and associated with the Markov operator \(L^+(\gamma ^-) + \frac{1}{\varepsilon }L^-\), \(\varepsilon > 0\). Here \(L^-\) describes the environment process on \({\varGamma }^-\) and \(L^+(\gamma ^-)\) describes the system process on \({\varGamma }^+\), where \(\gamma ^-\) indicates that the corresponding birth-and-death rates depend on another locally finite configuration \(\gamma ^- \in {\varGamma }^-\). We prove that, for a certain class of birth-and-death rates, the corresponding Fokker-Planck equation is well-posed, i.e. there exists a unique evolution of states \(\mu _t^{\varepsilon }\) on \({\varGamma }^+ \times {\varGamma }^-\). Moreover, we give a sufficient condition such that the environment is ergodic with exponential rate. Let \(\mu _{\mathrm {inv}}\) be the invariant measure for the environment process on \({\varGamma }^-\). In the main part of this work we establish the stochastic averaging principle, i.e. we prove that the marginal of \(\mu _t^{\varepsilon }\) onto \({\varGamma }^+\) converges weakly to an evolution of states on \({\varGamma }^+\) associated with the averaged Markov birth-and-death operator \({\overline{L}} = \int _{{\varGamma }^-}L^+(\gamma ^-)d \mu _{\mathrm {inv}}(\gamma ^-)\).     

Thermodynamic implications of the gravitationally induced particle creation scenario

A rigorous thermodynamic analysis has been done as regards the apparent horizon of a spatially flat Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker universe for the gravitationally induced particle creation scenario with constant specific entropy and an arbitrary particle creation rate \(\Gamma \). Assuming a perfect fluid equation of state \(p=(\gamma -1)\rho \) with \(\frac{2}{3} \le \gamma \le 2\), the first law, the generalized second law (GSL), and thermodynamic equilibrium have been studied, and an expression for the total entropy (i.e., horizon entropy plus fluid entropy) has been obtained which does not contain \(\Gamma \) explicitly. Moreover, a lower bound for the fluid temperature \(T_f\) has also been found which is given by \(T_f \ge 8\left( \frac{\frac{3\gamma }{2}-1}{\frac{2}{\gamma }-1}\right) H^2\). It has been shown that the GSL is satisfied for \(\frac{\Gamma }{3H} \le 1\). Further, when \(\Gamma \) is constant, thermodynamic equilibrium is always possible for \(\frac{1}{2}<\frac{\Gamma }{3H} < 1\), while for \(\frac{\Gamma }{3H} \le \text {min}\left\{ \frac{1}{2},\frac{2\gamma -2}{3\gamma -2} \right\} \) and \(\frac{\Gamma }{3H} \ge 1\), equilibrium can never be attained. Thermodynamic arguments also lead us to believe that during the radiation phase, \(\Gamma \le H\). When \(\Gamma \) is not a constant, thermodynamic equilibrium holds if \(\ddot{H} \ge \frac{27}{4}\gamma ^2 H^3 \left( 1-\frac{\Gamma }{3H}\right) ^2\), however, such a condition is by no means necessary for the attainment of equilibrium.     

Modularity of logarithmic parafermion vertex algebras

The parafermionic cosets \(\mathsf {C}_{k} = {\text {Com}} ( \mathsf {H} , \mathsf {L}_{k}(\mathfrak {sl}_{2}) )\) are studied for negative admissible levels k, as are certain infinite-order simple current extensions \(\mathsf {B}_{k}\) of \(\mathsf {C}_{k}\). Under the assumption that the tensor theory considerations of Huang, Lepowsky and Zhang apply to \(\mathsf {C}_{k}\), irreducible \(\mathsf {C}_{k}\)- and \(\mathsf {B}_{k}\)-modules are obtained from those of \(\mathsf {L}_{k}(\mathfrak {sl}_{2})\). Assuming the validity of a certain Verlinde-type formula likewise gives the Grothendieck fusion rules of these irreducible modules. Notably, there are only finitely many irreducible \(\mathsf {B}_{k}\)-modules. The irreducible \(\mathsf {C}_{k}\)- and \(\mathsf {B}_{k}\)-characters are computed and the latter are shown, when supplemented by pseudotraces, to carry a finite-dimensional representation of the modular group. The natural conjecture then is that the \(\mathsf {B}_{k}\) are \(C_2\)-cofinite vertex operator algebras.     

Pinning down neutrino oscillation parameters in the 2–3 sector with a magnetised atmospheric neutrino detector: a new study

We determine the sensitivity to neutrino oscillation parameters from a study of atmospheric neutrinos in a magnetised detector such as the ICAL at the proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory. In such a detector, which can separately count \(\nu _\mu \) and \(\overline{\nu }_\mu \)-induced events, the relatively smaller (about 5%) uncertainties on the neutrino–antineutrino flux ratios translate to a constraint in the \(\chi ^2\) analysis that results in a significant improvement in the precision with which neutrino oscillation parameters such as \(\sin ^2\theta _{23}\) can be determined. Such an effect is unique to all magnetisable detectors and constitutes a great advantage in determining neutrino oscillation parameters using such detectors. Such a study has been performed for the first time here. Along with an increase in the kinematic range compared to earlier analyses, this results in sensitivities to oscillation parameters in the 2–3 sector that are comparable to or better than those from accelerator experiments where the fluxes are significantly higher. For example, the \(1\sigma \) precisions on \(\sin ^2\theta _{23}\) and \(|\Delta {m^2_{32(31)}}|\) achievable for 500 kton year exposure of ICAL are \({\sim }9\) and \({\sim }2.5\)%, respectively, for both normal and inverted hierarchies. The mass hierarchy sensitivity achievable with this combination when the true hierarchy is normal (inverted) for the same exposure is \(\Delta \chi ^2\approx 8.5\) (\(\Delta \chi ^2\approx 9.5\)).